COVID-19 outbreak declared at Hastings Manor in Belleville

Hastings-Prince Edward Public Health has advised Hastings County to declare a COVID-19 outbreak at the Hastings Manor in Belleville after a second employee tested positive for the virus.

The first employee tested positive Wednesday. The County said the person had never entered the building but did instruct six other employees to self-isolate due to possible contact with that employee.

The second employee to test positive did enter the building and the County says the person last worked at the Manor on March 31st.

“Manor staff and officials from Public Health have been working to identify residents and staff who might have been in close contact with the employee,” the County says in a statement.

“As with any facility outbreak of an infectious disease in our region, we are working closely with Hastings Manor to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Piotr Oglaza. “Together we will take all possible steps to protect Hastings Manor residents, staff, and the community.”

Warden Rick Phillips says the County is working closely with Public Health to keep residents and employees safe and healthy.

“This will be an incredibly difficult time for our residents in the Manor, their families, and our employees who are doing their level best to care for them,” Phillips says. “Our thoughts and best wishes for speedy recovery are with the employee who has tested positive and those employees now off on 14 days of isolation.”